Philrealty and Greenhills Properties MOA Signing of BGC Project

Wazzup Pilipinas !

The trend nowadays in modern economical living is "going up"....which means buying a condo.

I think condos are the most convenient investment nowadays where you really do not have to worry about any real estate complications because it will be the developer who would transact for you. The space may be a bit small and only ideal for just singles, or a couple maybe, but its the only way to go if you intend to live within the busy Metro Manila cities.

If you wish a big property, you might have to look for sites in the provinces like Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, or even farther than these mentioned areas. Owning your own house built at your own lot is already becoming  rare. We just have to live with going through long travel hours and traffic jams everyday on our way to work or anywhere else.

Epson Showcases Environmentally-Sound Manufacturing Processes At Newly-Expanded Manufacturing Plant

I have always been fascinated of seeing how things were made so it was a real treat to be able to join a plant tour where we were shown how printers and projectors were being made. Part were assembled, tested and packaged - all ready to be sent to the requesting parties. It was an experience worth sharing with you guys.

Too bad we were not allowed to take photos at the assembly area itself. Seeing how a particular item goes through the process of assembly, quality testing and monitoring, packaging, etc., is somewhat magical because you even get to see the inner workings of the product and what goes behind the assembly line.

Epson Precision (Philippines), Incorporated (EPPI), the manufacturing arm of Epson in the Philippines, conducted a special plant tour for media guests in its newly-expanded plant located at the Lima Technology Center in Lipa City, Batangas last March 5.

The EPPI manufacturing plant, which showcases Epson’s global standards in green and environmentally-sound processes, produces about 4.5 million printers and 1.0 million projectors (FY12) distributed in 24 countries. A number of Epson’s new projectors and the breakthrough Epson L-series genuine ink tank system printers are manufactured at this plant where more than 10,000 are currently employed.

“Seiko-Epson Corporation (SEC) formally announced the PhP4.5 billion expansion of our manufacturing plant in March 2010. We inaugurated Factory II in December 2011, and since then, we have significantly increased Epson’s manufacturing capacity by 150% for 3LCD projectors and 50% for inkjet printers”, according to EPPI President Kazuyuki Amano.


The whole-day Epson event, which included the plant tour and the launch of new Epson 3D and interactive projectors, adopted the theme “Epson: Harmony and Co-existence” to highlight the company’s accord and cooperative co-existence with the environment and the community.

“Through this event, we are proud to show the harmonious partnership of Japanese precision engineering and Filipino ingenuity and craftsmanship that resulted in world-class products like the new Epson L-Series genuine ink tank system printers and entry-level projectors. Also, we have been dedicated to the cause of environmental protection by following environment-friendly procedures & policies, non-detrimental manufacturing and developmental processes, and collaborative co-existence between business and the global environment,” explained Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) President/Country Manager Toshimitsu Tanaka.

Since the 1940s, Epson has taken great effort to advance eco-activities through environmentally responsible production processes based on integrated global objectives and standards. One of Epson’s earliest efforts was the thorough wastewater processing conducted before drainage to Lake Suwa, where one of our earliest manufacturing plants was located.

One important landmark in the Epson history of environmental protection was in 1988 when Epson became the first company to introduce a policy to remove CFC from its products. Full elimination of specific CFC’s from products was completed in 1993. This step led to the Epson Environmental Policy issued in 1994 and revised in 1999 to further enhance the conservation efforts of Epson worldwide from product development to recycling.

The Epson Environmental Policy states that Epson will integrate environmental considerations into its corporate activities and actively strive to meet high conservation standards in fulfilling its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen.

This policy has led Epson to:


1. Create and provide earth-friendly products

2. Transform all processes to reduce the burden on the environment

3. Recover and recycle used products

4. Share environmental information and contribute to regional and international preservation efforts

5. Continually improve the environmental management system

Since then, Epson has conducted a variety of programs in all countries where it operates to keep it among the leading environment advocates.

In the Philippines, EPC and EPPI launched Epson’s environmental advocacy in the Philippines, including the Inkjet cartridge recycling program. The investment in the expanded manufacturing plant also enabled the manufacturing processes to be at par with the global standards in productivity, precision, and environmental protection.

EPPI is also at the forefront of various community and environmental programs under its Epson CARES project (Epson’s Contribution to the Advancement & Restoration of Environment & Society), including the donation of recyclable canteen waste to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) at Tahanang Walang Hagdan (TWH), repair and maintenance of schools in nearby communities through Brigada Eskwela, book donation to support the development of education of young children, tree planting and nurturing program, coastal clean-up, and relief operations when calamities strike.


Such initiatives have enabled EPPI to be awarded the following accolades:

1. Don Emillio Abello Energy Efficiency Award

a. Citation Award (December 2007)

b. Outstanding Award & Outstanding Energy Manager Award (December 2008)

c. Outstanding Award & Outstanding Energy Manager Award (December 2009)

2. PCAPI - Outstanding Pollution Control Officer (PCO)

a. Joyce Tan (April 2008 & 2009)

b. Ad Ryan Ilagan (April 2010)

3. Outstanding PEZA Environmental Performer Award (April 2008 & March 2011)

4. PCAPI Success Story Award

a. "Waste turned into Profit" (April 2009)

b. "Carbon Less Footprint" (April 2010)

5. PCAPI Mother Nature Award - 1st Runner-Up (April 2009 & 2011)

6. SEC Environment Excellence Award (May 2008, May 2009, June 2011)

7. TWH Handog sa Kalikasan Award (December 2009)

During the EPPI Plant Tour, the guests were given an inside view of the Printer Production area, the Visual Products area, and Parts Production area.

After the EPPI Plant Tour, Epson unveiled its latest line of 3D and interactive projectors in the Philippines.

 

Palaspas : Palm Leaf Weaving Techniques Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Craft MNL’s first heritage workshop brings you a session on learning native palm leaf weaving techniques.

Relive your childhoods with this session, as we play with woven stars, balls, and fish. Learn weaving techniques that you can apply to accessories, decor and functional items. Perfect for creatives who’d like to learn this heritage craft to apply with a modern twist.

Palaspas, Palm leaf weaving Workshop fee is only Php 350.

It'll be on March 30 from 10.30 to 1pm. Venue will be at The Forum, 4th Floor, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.

For bookings just follow the link below:
http://form.jotform.me/form/21561433741448

Grounded at the Lopez Museum : What's Keeping You From Flight?

Wazzup Pilipinas ! I am "Grounded".

Are we too tied up and "grounded" that it holds us back from our fullest potential?

We try our best to exceed, excel and escape from the norm....but more often than not, we end up getting criticized, questioned, and stricken from the ranks of a so-called law-abiding society.

To be branded as a rebel, a liberal and a rogue makes me wonder if we are all here just to please everyone else except ourselves.

For going above and beyond everyone else's idea of standards, ethics and comfort zones, we limit ourselves to only what others want us to be....and we set aside our real intentions and hide behind a mask of deception.

PH "More Fun" tops Thai International Travel Fair 2013

Honorable Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia,  Philippine Ambassador to Thailand (fourth from left) visited the Philippine Booth

Wazzup Pilipinas !

The Department of Tourism (DOT) won the Best Booth Display during the Thai International Travel Fair held on 14 – 17 February 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, extending the Philippine tourism’s winning streak in the global stage. The Philippine booth bested fourteen other National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), marking the country’s debut in the said travel fair.

Organized by Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), an association of Thai Outbound Tour Operators, the three-day fair held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok drew almost 600,000 visitors and close to a thousand booths from 14 NTOs, 3 embassies, 19 airlines, 132 travel agents, and other travel-related suppliers. The Thai Minister of Culture, Mr. Sontaya Kunplone, was among those who graced the official opening ceremony.

This maiden Philippine participation led by DOT’s Marketing Representative for Malaysia and Thailand, Datin Melissa Ong, was able to book Manila, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan with a sizeable number of Thai tourists. Cebu Pacific cabin crew also provided on-site entertainment and fun games throughout the fair.

Wicked Kitchen: An Awesome Adventure in Taste

 

Wazzup Pilipinas ! Its totally "wicked" !

One should exclaim similar words after a taste of the great meals available at Wicked Kitchen - that small yet full of potential restaurant just opposite the ABS-CBN building in Mother Ignacia.

I've learned that it has other branches in other areas but the one we visited was the smallest in area but the only one with a second floor.

I would also expect that celebrities like Luis Manzano celebrates his birthdays there for a damn good reason.

Lima Park Hotel : The Best Luxury Hotel in Lipa, Batangas

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Just in case you plan to witness some breathtaking views of the famed Mt. Makiling and Mt. Malarayat, you can rest afterwards at the Lima Park Hotel located in the tranquil country setting of Lipa, Batangas. It is basically at the boundary of Lipa City and Malvar (the reason why its called Lima), both of Batangas province in southern Philippines. It is located inside an industrial park with the same name .

The restaurants at the hotel include at Asian Flavours, Occasions and the Al Fresco Bar. They also have a  gym and fitness center where you can . They have a horizon swimming pool and jacuzzi. Inquiring for a large event, celebrate that special occasion at the Fidelis Ballroom, and for small groups, organize business meetings and smaller social events at any of their function rooms or meeting rooms. Lima Park Hotel is an industrial zone rather than for recreation

The hotel may not be towering in floors but its splendid in its existing facilities. I would love to do a full review of the hotel soon. For the meantime, here are some more photos during my visit at the hotel.

DOT and Puerto Princesa City Launch New Online Booking System for Underground River

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the City Government of Puerto Princesa, Palawan have teamed up for the launch of a new online booking system for local and foreign tourists visiting the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).

Last February 7, 2013, the DOT turned over the system to the City Government of Puerto Princesa for the site’s operation and management as provided by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, in his acceptance message, shared how tourism has anchored the city’s sustainable development paradigm, particularly in managing the ecosystems that tourism in-flows demand.

“We worked very hard for Puerto Princesa’s tourism. And we could not be happier that it, indeed, worked and flourished. But the demand was quite overwhelming. It eventually caused us more problems than rewards. We had more than what we can handle, and we weren’t prepared for it,” Mayor Hagedorn added. He looks forward to a renewed fun in Puerto Princesa especially now that an online booking system and more efficient payment modes are in place. He expressed his assurance to the public assured that this program will continue beyond his term of office.

Globe Refutes PLDT, Stands By Interconnection Issues

Globe reiterated that the interconnection problems in North Luzon were caused by faulty signaling links of PLDT and not by a fiber cut as PLDT would like the public to believe.

“Here they go again.  This is a classic PLDT, refusing to admit that there is something wrong with their network.  More than this, there are several inaccuracies in their statement,” said Yoly Crisanto, head of corporate communications of Globe Telecom.

To reiterate, the North Luzon outages started as early as February 25 which Globe reported to PLDT.  The initial investigation showed that there was a problem with the signaling link specifically in Bulacan at the time and that the PLDT team had given its advise that it would perform a reset of the signaling links.  The next day February 26, the problem has spread to 5 other areas in Northern Luzon. 

Even as Globe experienced a fiber cut in San Juan, Metro Manila in the late afternoon of February 27, it had nothing to do with the North Luzon outages.   At the time of the fiber cut, the outage in North Luzon has been ongoing for 3 days.

Crisanto said that, “By design, the network is protected by redundancies to support subscribers during these times and minimize any adverse impact.”   Globe restored the fiber cut on the morning of February 28.   However, upon further investigation, Globe was able to determine that the fiber cut in San Juan was an intentional one and not by accident.    

Crisanto added, “It is also interesting to note that Globe got a call from PLDT, who first inquired about the fiber cut on the evening of February 27.”

In their statement, PLDT said that their “engineers had determined through their technical tests that Globe had indeed suffered a FOC break in San Juan, Metro Manila”.  As to how PLDT can conduct a “technical” test on the Globe network and determine the precise location of the FOC break is truly unbelievable.

We stand by our initial position that the multiple outages in several parts of Northern Luzon were due to the local interconnection issues with PLDT.

Sugarleaf : Up Up And Away With Superfood!

 

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
A superfood is a food rich in phytochemicals, which are special compounts that have been noted to have disease-fighting properties. These can reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune systen, or in some other way contribute significantly to a person being healthier.

Examples of common superfoods that are fruits include blueberries, cranberries, red grapes, pink grapefruit, mangos, mangosteen, papaya, watermelons and tomatoes. What makes these fruits so super is that they are packed with special nutrients like phytochemical. For example, tomatoes are high in lycopene, which may reduce risk for prostate cancer, and high in beta carotene, which may promote greater mental alertness and slow conditions like Alzheimer’s. Vitamin C is another nutrient indicated in anti-aging and possible reduction in risk of developing cancer.

Rather than take a supplement, consume and enjoy delicious foods at Sugarleaf whose menu nourishes at the cellular level and provides much more than calories.

Caffe Bene: The Coffee That's Just Right For Me

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
Coffee was meant to be enjoyed as it is and not by the use of so much sweeteners and many other tidbits of add-ins. I was actually worried back then when coffee shops or cafes became a destination for whipped creamed and chocolate syrup-ed coffees. The real goodness of coffee was destroyed because its now being masked by sweets.

You can't really blame the fad or trend or whatever it is called because life is so complex it becomes so interestingly wonderful. I often would say to myself that they should bring back coffee the way it was meant to be. But I guess people also come for the sweets, and the desserts, and the ambiance, and the company of social media mania peeps who loves to hang out at places where's there wifi and a comfortable seat to spend the rest of their time. Well, I'm one of those peeps who felt the need to be one among the individuals that's making coffee shops rich, just because everyone else that I know is there - and quite often than not, its where we meet, converse, bond and share ideas.

So when I heard about this cafe which originated from Seoul, South Korea that takes pride in announcing a coffee that's medium roasted thus making it better tasting like a medium rare grilled steak and requires less sugar and creamer to improve the taste, then I was willing to try it out for a change. Maybe there's hope for coffee after all.

Angono, Rizal : Nemiranda Art House - A Family's Art Showcase

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
Angono, Rizal takes pride of having several museum destinations where one can also dine and marvel at the artistry in the form of sculptures, paintings and the likes. It seems its a place where the people were more into art and creativity.

From the write-ups that I recently read, the Nemiranda Arthouse and museum, as also somehow implied by its name, was designed and constructed by Nemiranda (Nemisio Miranda) himself. He used local materials such as bamboo, sawali and old recycled wood coming from the old church and convent of Angono.

Join me into a photo tour of the Nemiranda Art House as we discover the very colorful and intricate forms of what the imagination had brought us in creating such masterpieces.

Wheatberry: Your Friendly Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe

Wazzup Pilipinas !

Wikipedia says the term wheatberry or wheat berry refers to the entire wheat kernel (except for the hull), composed of the bran, germ, and endosperm. Wheatberries have a tan to reddish brown color and are available as either a hard or soft processed grain. They are often added to salads or baked into bread to add a crunchy texture. If wheat berries are milled, whole-wheat flour is produced.

This is probably where the Wheatberry Bakery and Cafe got its name. Its a bakery and a cafe in one that probably uses and serves whole unprocessed kernels of wheat.

But Pastry Chef Mary Sonia Cruz had a lot of stories to tell about Wheatberry and its origins. From its conception last 2001 to its birth last 2004 until today, Wheatberry aims to serve only high quality and unique products.

Tang Brings Out The Hero in Every Kid

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
Tang has been one of the very popular and recognizable powder juice drink since my childhood. It has more than one occasion been the families favorite juice drink. Since we are not so fond of softdrinks, the better alternative was juice, and the more economical was powdered juice drinks....and now Tang is giving back something to the kids by recognizing their noble efforts in the society.

Whether for family or friends, for the sick or underprivileged, for education or the environment, Tang is calling out to kids everywhere to make a difference in the lives of others and to contribute in their own ways to making the Philippines the best it can be.

This advocacy from Tang was launched at the Mind Museum with young talent Arkin Magalona hosting the celebration of “kiddie heroes” headlined by the 2012 “Tang Galing Mo Kid!” Awardees. They are ‘kid heroes’ cited for their efforts in making the world a better place for their communities despite challenging circumstances. The Tang Galing Mo Kid award is being supported by the launch of Tang’s ritual, “Handa-Inom-Gawa,” which refreshes the hero in each and every kid, and encourages them to do good for their communities. Tang is a product of Kraft Foods Philippines (KFP), part of the Mondelēz International family of Companies.

Antistax : The Secret To Healthy Legs

 

Wazzup Pilipinas !
 
Got an invite for an event form a friend, and heard news that the product launch will empower women to be more confident and thus looking good both in and out. I never realized I will be in the midst of an audience where majority would be women.

Filipinas now have a natural way to prevent many of the commonplace leg problems as Boehringer Ingelheim (Phil.) Inc. brings Antistax, one of the world’s leading anti-varicose supplements, to the Philippines.

Antistax, the first and only anti-varicose supplement in the local market, is the perfect synergy of nature and science in leg health management. It is proven safe and effective in helping strengthen and protect women’s legs from the inside out. It also helps restore and regenerate women’s natural mobility by preventing leg vein problems such as pain, heaviness (ngalay), swelling, and varicose veins.

HTC Launches the Butterfly : The Ultimate Smartphone

HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, launches the HTC Butterfly, the ultimate smartphone and the first with a full HD 1080p display, in the Philippines. HTC Buttefly not only offers the first full HD 1080p display with the highest pixel density of any smartphone, but also features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, HTC Sense 4+ and Android Jelly Bean.

"HTC Butterfly is quite simply the most stunning smartphone HTC has created to date, with a display that people will fall in love with instantly,” said Lennard Hoornik, president, South Asia, HTC Corporation. "It offers the best experience in terms of performance, design and innovation, and is our most eagerly anticipated smartphone with rave reviews from media and consumers alike."

The Ultimate Smartphone

With technology rivaling the latest HD TV's, HTC Butterfly is the first smartphone to feature a true 1080p full HD super LCD 3 display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 protection. It boasts an extraordinary 440 pixels per inch (PPI) on a 5-inch screen for unprecedented in-hand HD experiences that delivers the maximum pixel clarity available on a smartphone.

Designed to accentuate the incredible display, the smooth glossy finish and microgrill pattern of the sidewalls echo the superb styling and power of high tech racing cars. The beautifully crafted smartphone feels thinner than other devices of a similar size as the edges of the curved back taper to a mere 4mm for a comfortable feel in the hand or pocket.

The Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU, high-performance GPU and a full 2GB of RAM enable the seamless use of multiple apps simultaneously. With HTC Sense® 4+ and Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean), you get great software experiences including Google Now. HTC Butterfly is equipped with a 2,020 mAh battery and power saving software that enables long-lasting endurance, while users will also appreciate the expandable SD card slot in addition to 25GB of free Dropbox cloud storage. HTC Sense 4+ offers a wealth of easy-to-use and customizable features bringing highly sought after personalization to your phone and placing the most important content front and center. A series of intelligent features powered by HTC Sense 4+ also provides a number of improvements to the camera.

Amazing Camera

HTC Butterfly has a world-class camera that delivers fast image capture, great images even in low-light and an easy interface to capture stills and video. With an 8-megapixel f/2.0 28mm wide-angle lens, 5-level automatic flash, backside illuminated sensor (BSI), and superfast autofocus, you'll capture amazing moments without the worry of missing a single one. Instead of choosing between photos and video, HTC VideoPic™ allows you to capture video and still images at the same time. And by simply holding the shutter button, Continuous Shooting takes multiple photos at up to four frames per second to catch all the action.

It also includes a new best-in-class 2.1-megapixel, f/2.0, 88-degree, ultra-wide angle, front-facing camera that allows more to be captured in self-portraits, and up to four people for group shots. Auto Portrait makes it easier to take photos of yourself and your friends with automatic face detection and a countdown timer so you can focus on your pose and not the shutter button. Capable of capturing 1080p HD video, the front-facing camera also provides a sharper picture during video chat.

Authentic Sound

The HTC Butterfly’s unique, built-in headset amplifier and dedicated amp for the external rear-speaker helps boost the audio signal to deliver crystal clear sound with less distortion, even at maximum volume. The combination of amplified hardware and the rich, authentic, studio-quality sound of Beats Audio™ allows music to be heard the way the artist intended, and enhances the sound quality while playing games or watching video.

 

Availability

HTC Butterfly is now available in the Philippines for Php 32,190 .